If your dog shivers on winter walks, a crocheted sweater is a quick, cheap fix. It's also the gift dog people love most. These 20 free crochet dog sweater patterns cover everything from a one-evening beginner sweater for a chihuahua to a seven-size hoodie that fits a 36-inch chest. Every one is written out in full, rows and stitch counts included, on the designer's own site. There's no signup and nothing to buy.
Measure your dog before you choose a pattern. You need three numbers: the neck (where a collar sits), the chest (the widest part, just behind the front legs), and the back length (from the collar to the base of the tail). Most patterns size by chest measurement, not by breed. Add an inch or two of ease so the sweater doesn't pinch. Nearly all of these use worsted weight acrylic, which is machine washable and hard to chew through. If a stitch name stops you, the crochet abbreviations list explains it, and the hook size guide converts letter sizes to millimetres.
Easy beginner dog sweaters
These use one or two basic stitches, often in flat pieces seamed together. They're good first projects even if you've never made a garment.
Free Crochet Dog Sweater Pattern — Itchin' for Some Stitchin'. A flat double crochet back panel plus a triangle chest piece, joined with slip stitch and leaving a gap for the collar. Worsted yarn on a 6mm hook, sized for a small dog, and the chest piece is easy to adjust. Level 1 beginner.
The Maggie Dog Sweater — Posh Pooch Designs. A foundation double crochet belly tube, a back worked in rows and a chained neckband. There's an optional little skirt. Worsted on a 5.25–5.5mm hook, sized XXS to M for 2–15 lb dogs, with notes on making it bigger. The designer calls it super easy.
Chihuahua Sweater — Niftynnifer's Crochet & Crafts. Worked flat in half double crochet with self-striping Red Heart Super Saver, then buttoned around the dog. There's a leash hole built in. One size, a 15.5-inch chest, on a 4.5mm hook.
Dog Sweater in 6 Sizes — Crochet It Creations. Half double crochet rounds from the bottom up with a post-stitch rib band. The leg holes are simply chained over. Worsted on a 5.5mm hook in six sizes, XXS to XL, for dogs from 2 to 60 lb. It's one of the most size-inclusive patterns here.
Crochet Dog Sweater, XS–XL — Maria's Blue Crayon. A sideways ribbed collar, then a half double crochet body in rounds with a shaped belly edge. Worsted on a 6mm hook, sized XS to XL with a neck, chest and length chart. The designer also explains how to custom-fit it. Easy.
Dog sweaters for large dogs
Most dog sweater patterns stop at medium. These go up to big dogs.
Easy Crochet Dog Sweater for Large Dogs — Heart Hook Home. Sized L, XL and XXL, plus a newer giant size, chosen by chest measurement. The textured "thicket" stitch is (sc, dc) clusters. A chest flap buttons underneath, so the collar slips over the head without a fight. Worsted on a 5mm hook. Easy.
Wild Berry Dog Sweater — Heart Hook Home. A bobbly berry-stitch body worked on an 8mm hook, sized S, M and L for an 18-, 24- or 30-inch chest. It matches a human sweater by the same designer, if you want to twin with your dog. There's a tiny-dog version in sport weight for XXXS to XS.
Textured Dog Sweater with Sleeves — Darling Dana Designs. One of the few patterns with actual sleeves, finished with post-stitch ribbed cuffs. The body alternates half double crochet and slip stitch for texture. Worsted on a 5mm hook, in a small (Shih Tzu) and a large (Springer Spaniel) size.
Dog hoodies and coats
For dogs who need more than a sweater: a hood, a longer back, or a very warm faux-fur coat.
Easy Dog Hoodie — Heart Hook Home. A top-down raglan with a chest flap and a hood worked in one piece from the body, so there's no sewing. Worsted on a 4.5mm hook in seven sizes, XXS to 2XL, for chests from 12 to 36 inches. Easy.
Well Dressed Dog Coat — Moogly. A coat made in two pieces, back and belly, each starting with foundation double crochet for stretch. The body is 2-dc clusters in stripes, with the yarn carried up the side. Worsted on a 6.5mm hook, sized S to XL for a 14- to 24.5-inch chest.
Timber Pup Pullover — E&P Crochet. The warmest pattern here: a bulky collar, then a body in super bulky faux-fur yarn. It has "try it on" checkpoints as you go. Seven sizes, XXS to XXL, for dogs from a 2 lb teacup to an 80 lb shepherd. Faux-fur yarn hides your stitches, so it's forgiving but slow to count.
Cable and textured dog sweaters
These look hand-knit, and they're a good fit if you already know post stitches.
Cabled Crochet Dog Sweater — A Crocheted Simplicity. A post-stitch cable panel runs down the back, with a ribbed collar worked sideways and joined. Wool-Ease on a 5mm hook, sized XS to L with a yardage chart. Intermediate.
Chewy's Dog Sweater — A Crocheted Simplicity. The same ribbed collar with a textured body of extended single crochet and long double crochet worked two rounds below. Worsted on a 5mm hook, sized XS to L. Easy.
Dandy Dog Sweater — Heart Hook Home. Worked top-down in one piece with no sewing, starting with a post-stitch ribbed collar. Worsted on a 5mm hook, sized XS to M for tiny and medium dogs. Easy.
Ribby Dog Sweater — My Hobby Is Crochet. A knit-look rib all over, made with yarn-over slip stitch in the back loop, and finished with post double crochet edges. It's the closest thing here to a turtleneck. One small size (14.5-inch chest) with notes on resizing, on a 5.5mm hook.
Puff Stitch Dog Jumper — A Crafty Concept. A puffy, cloud-like body worked top-down in DK yarn on 5.5mm and 6mm hooks, with a tail flap. Five sizes by chest measurement, from 38 to 65 cm.
Wheat Stitch Dog Sweater — Briana K Designs. A front-loop and back-loop texture broken up by puff-stitch rounds. The free page gives size XS only; the paid PDF has more sizes. Worsted on 4.5mm and 5mm hooks. Beginner-friendly.
Christmas, snowflake and striped dog sweaters
These are the ones for holiday photos.
Snowflake Dog Sweater — Jera's Jamboree. A tapestry crochet snowflake across the back, written out row by row, with back-loop ribbing. Written in UK terms (htr is a US half double crochet). You can leave the snowflake out for a beginner version. Aran/worsted on a 5mm hook, sized for medium dogs and adjusted by measuring as you go.
Houndstooth Dog Sweater — Krissy's Over The Mountain Crochet. A two-colour houndstooth check in single and double crochet, closed with buttons. You choose a full chest panel or a belly band. Sized XXS to S for 2–14 lb dogs, so it's ideal for a Yorkie or teacup breed.
Striped Crochet Dog Sweater — Hooked, Stitched and Glued. Two-colour treble stripes worked in turned rounds, then rows, with two buttons. Written in UK terms (a UK treble is a US double crochet). One size, a 38 cm chest, with adjustable length. Advanced beginner.
For a Christmas version, Heart Hook Home has Santa, elf and gingerbread colourways for the Dandy sweater above. You'll need the main Dandy pattern for the rows.
More cozy things to make this winter
Dog lovers will want a matching hat and scarf set or a pair of slippers for cozy nights. A dog sweater also makes a thoughtful weekend gift or stocking stuffer, and you can hang a crochet Christmas stocking for your dog too. Got a cat in the house as well? Try our free crochet cat toy patterns. For you, try winter beanies and mittens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure my dog for a crochet sweater?
Measure the neck where a collar sits, the chest at its widest point just behind the front legs, and the back from the collar to the base of the tail. Choose the size by chest measurement and add 1 to 2 inches of ease. Most patterns above include a size chart.
What is the best yarn for a crochet dog sweater?
Worsted weight acrylic, such as Red Heart Super Saver or Lion Brand Vanna's Choice. It's warm, cheap, holds its shape and survives the washing machine. Avoid 100% wool unless you're happy to hand-wash, and avoid fuzzy novelty yarn for dogs that chew.
How much yarn does a dog sweater take?
A small-dog sweater usually takes 100 to 200 yards of worsted, which is often less than one skein. A large-dog sweater can take 500 to 900 yards. The Cabled Crochet Dog Sweater and Easy Dog Hoodie above give yardage for every size.
How long does it take to crochet a dog sweater?
An XS or small sweater in basic stitches takes an evening or two. Large sizes, cables, sleeves and faux-fur yarn take a weekend or more. For a quick gift, pick a flat-panel pattern like the Itchin' for Some Stitchin' sweater or the Maggie Dog Sweater.
Want the whole family to match? Our free crochet ugly Christmas sweater patterns have reindeer sweaters for adults, cozy baby sweaters and tiny sweater ornaments.
